20 Best Dessert Bars Recipes

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Indulge in these decadent cookie bars that combine the irresistible flavors of salted caramel and chocolate chips for a perfect treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until fully incorporated.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and spread half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
6. Pour caramel sauce over the dough layer and sprinkle with sea salt.
7. Top with the remaining cookie dough and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool before slicing into bars.

Lemon Blueberry Crumble Bars

These bars feature a refreshing combination of zesty lemon and juicy blueberries, perfect for a light dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1 egg
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 4 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Mix sugar, baking powder, and flour. Add butter and egg, blending to form a crumbly dough.
3. Press half of the dough into the pan’s base.
4. Toss blueberries with sugar, lemon juice, zest, and cornstarch. Spread over the base.
5. Crumble the remaining dough on top and bake for 45 minutes.
6. Let cool before cutting into squares.

Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars

These creamy cheesecake bars with a swirl of Nutella are both dreamy and decadent.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Nutella

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, pressing into the bottom of the pan to form a crust.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Pour cheesecake mixture over the crust.
5. Warm Nutella and swirl it into the cheesecake layer using a knife.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, then cool and refrigerate before slicing.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Bars

These bars feature a buttery shortbread base topped with sweet raspberry preserves and a hint of almond.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup raspberry preserves
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch pan.
2. Beat together butter, sugar, and almond extract; gradually add flour to create a dough.
3. Press two-thirds of the dough into the pan.
4. Spread raspberry preserves over the dough and sprinkle with almonds.
5. Crumble the remaining dough over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.
6. Cool before cutting into bars.

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Packed with fresh strawberries and hearty oats, these bars are a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups diced fresh strawberries
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in melted butter to form a crumbly dough.
3. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture and press the rest into the pan.
4. Toss strawberries with cornstarch, lemon juice, and sugar. Spread over the crust.
5. Sprinkle the reserved crumbly mixture over the top and bake for 35-40 minutes.
6. Cool completely before slicing.

Maple Pecan Bars

A rich, nutty treat, these bars are infused with the warm flavor of maple syrup and crunchy pecans.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix flour and sugar, then cut in butter to form a crumbly mixture. Press into the pan as a crust.
3. Bake crust for 15 minutes.
4. Whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in pecans.
5. Pour over baked crust and return to oven for 20-25 minutes.
6. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Peanut Butter Banana Bars

These bars bring together creamy peanut butter and ripe bananas for a satisfying sweet snack.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch pan.
2. Mix melted butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add brown sugar, bananas, and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
4. Spread batter in pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
5. Allow to cool before slicing into bars.

Coconut Lime Bars

These tropical bars feature a zesty lime flavor paired with the sweetness of coconut for a refreshing dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 large eggs
• Zest and juice of 2 limes
• 3/4 cup shredded coconut

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour and powdered sugar. Cut in butter and press into the pan to form a crust.
3. Bake for 15 minutes.
4. Beat sugar, flour, baking powder, eggs, lime zest, and juice. Stir in coconut.
5. Pour over crust and bake for another 20-25 minutes.
6. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

S’mores Bars

The classic campfire treat is transformed into gooey, delicious bars that are perfect for sharing.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
3. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in graham cracker crumbs.
4. Press half the dough into the bottom of the pan.
5. Layer with marshmallows and chocolate chips, then top with remaining dough.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool before slicing.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars

A fall favorite, these bars combine spiced pumpkin and creamy cheese for the ultimate autumn treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, pumpkin puree, and oil until smooth, then stir into dry ingredients.
4. Pour batter into pan.
5. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg until smooth and swirl into pumpkin batter.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.